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T. BIRKENMAIER. CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6.19l7.

Patented Aug. 5, 1919. 3 SHETSSHEET I 3 0/ x 0000000 0 000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000 0000000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 U.DDDO 0090009 9000900 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 D UDD JODD baboon E an O 0 a 00 Qt THE COLUMBIA PLANDUIAP" 00., WASHINGTON, n. c.

T. BIRKENMAIER. CONTROLLING MCHAN|SM FO'R LAUNDRY MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6.191?- Patented Aug. 5, 1919.

3 SHETS-SHEET 2 7 m 6 a M a M 1 m u w W n 4 o 4 71/600019: B/R/fE/Y/YA 15,? 68% T. BIRKENMAIER.

CONTROLUNG MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES.

APPucmoa FILED mm. a. 1911.

1,312,431 Patented Aug. 5, 1919.

3 SH HTS-SHEET 3- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THEODORE IBIRKENMAIER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY-MACHINES.

Application filed March 6, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

3e it known that I, THEODORE BIRKEN- Martin, a citizen of the United States, and residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have in- 5 vented new and useful Improvements in Controlling Mechanism for Laundry-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to washing me.-

0 chines, being directed more particularly to mechanism for automatically controlling the period of operation of such machines.

In the operation of such machines it is the general practice to extend the washing operation over a given period of time, varying according to the quantity and character of the clothes to be washed.

In the operation of many machines this entails upon the operator the necessity of noting the time of starting the machine and computing the time of stopping the machine after the Washing operation has progressed through the proper determined period, with the attendant liability of errors arising in so computing the time and, therefore, in

the machine being stopped too soon or allowed to run overtime. The drum of a laundr machine is operated by driving mechanism which imparts to the drum an alter 0 nating rotary movement. This drum in connnercial machines is, of course, heavy, and when loaded, has considerable inertia. If, therefore, it is intended to start and stop this drum by a jaw clutch interposed between the reversing mechanism and the drum, the shocks and jars are so great as to soon cause breakage. It is of the utmost importance that after the machine has been stopped at the conclusion of the clothes Washing operation, the clothes shall not be allowed to stand in the wash water for the reason that they would, obviously, again absorb a greater or lesser amount of the dirt and impurities from said water. In order to obviate this contingency, it has been the practice to open the drain at the time after the machine has come to rest to permit dis charge of the suds water from the tub. The objection to this course is found in the fact 60 that if the water is not discharged until after the machine has come to rest and the water reached a state of quietude, a considerable proportion of the impurities will be redeposited in the clothes or fabrics, while the water is draining ofi from the machine,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 5, 1919.

Serial No. 152,846.

and in the further fact that the clothes may, through carelessness, be allowed to stand in the dirty water for a greater or lesser length of time after the washing operation has been completed. It is highly desirable therefore, that the water be discharged automatically, and, preferably, prior to stopping the machine, while the water is in a state of agitation, in order that the dirt and other impurities may be effectually carried off with the wash water.

This invention has among its objects, therefore, to provide mechanism adapted to control the operation of the reversing mechanism, for automatically stopping the clothes washing mechanism at the completion of a predetermined clothes laundrying operation.

The invention has among its further objects, to provide mechanism for the automatic discharge of the Wash water from the tub at or near the conclusion of the clothes washing operation, and to interconnect such mechanism with the stopping mechanism, so as tilo operate in proper timed relation therewit 1.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simplified controlling mechanism which may be readily and inexpensively installed for use upon machines in general use.

With the above and other objects in view, as will later appear, the invention comprises the novel features of construction and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a side view partly in vertical, longitudinal section of a washing machine equipped with a controlling mechanism embodyino the invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional elevation of the gearin at one end of the machine, the section belng taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the mechanism at one end of the machine; l

Fig. 4 is a detail of the shifting mechanism;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the shifting mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a rear view;

Fig. 7 is a side View of the setting and indicating mechanism; and,

Fig. 8 is a rear view of the same.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the washing machine, which is of a type in general use, comprises a cylindrical water and suds receiving tub I mounted upon end supports 2 and containing a rotary washing drum 3 adapted to receive the clothes or fabrics, and sustained for rotation in the tub by means of trunnions 4 journalcd in the end Walls of the tub and in suitable bearings on the supports 2, the drum being formed of wood or sheet metal and having its side walls perforated as usual, to permit the water and suds in the tub to pass freely into the drum and back and forth through the fabrics therein.

Sustained in suitable bearings 5 is a drive shaft 6, carrying a pair of loose pulleys 7 and 8 and an intermediate fixed pulley 9 adapted to be engaged by one or the other of a pair of belts 10-41, one of Which is crossed, adapted through alternate cooperation with the pulley 9 to turn the shaft 6, respectively, in opposite directions. as will be readily understood and for a purpose which will more fully appear. later. The bearings 5 are provided in gear casings 12 suitably mounted and sustained at the ends of the machine, and each of these casings houses a train of gears comprising a pinion 13, fixed on the shaft 6, a gear 11 fixed on the clothes drum axle 4, and an intermediate idler 15 connecting the pinion 13 with the gear 14 to transmit motion from the shaft 6 to the drum 3, as is usual and as will be readily understood.

A belt shifting mechanism suitably located relative to thebelt pulleys, embodies a belt shiftin head 16 slidably mounted upon guides 1 sustained by a frame bracket 18, forming a bearing for a longitudinally movable rock-shaft 19 journaled at one end in the head 16 which is suitably engaged with the belts and is adapted, throu h movement back and forth alon the gui es 17, to move one or the other 0 the belts 1011 into engagement with the fast pulley 9, as will be understood. The shaft 19 has fixed thereon, a centering cam 20 adapted for cod 'eration with fixed bearing lugs 21 on the racket, and is rovided at its outer end with a crank arm engagedby one end of a longitudinall movable tripping bar 523 slidable thrbu li a bearing 24, and rovided at its other on with a handle 2'5 a apted' to be grasped for moving the bar longitudinally and rockin the shaft 19, the inner faces of thebearing 24 opposed to the bar 23 being curved as shown, adapting the bar to rock laterally in following the longitudinal movement of the shaft 19.

Connected at its upper end with the shaft 19, as by engagement with the cam. head 20, is a shiftin lever 26' which, as seen more clearly in Fig. 1 is ivoted at its lower end 27 and is provided etween its ends with a roller 28 seated for travel in the cam Way 29 of a cam member 30 fixed onthe countershaft 31 on which there is also fixed, a worm wheel 32 in mesh with a worm 33 on the hub of the loose pulley 8. For e1fcct ing the connection between the shifting lever and the rock shaft the cam head 20 is provided with. a downwardly opening bearing slot or recess 20 and the shifting lever is equipped, at its upper end, with a lateral bearing roller 21 dis'osed and adapted to enter said recess and orm a detachable interlocking engagement of the lever with the cam-head and, therefore, with the shaft 19, as is usual and as will be readily understood.

In the operation of the mechanism thus far described, power will be transmitted from a suitable source through the belts 10-41, and pulley 9 to the shaft 6 which, when rotated, operates through a train of mechanism comprising the worm 33, pinion 32, cam 30 and roller 28, to swing the shifting lever 26 back and forth on its pivot 27. Now sulpposing the parts to be in the position as ioWn in Fig. 1, with the bar 23 pulled forwardly, the belt 10 operates through engagement with pulley 9 to turn the shaft 6 in the direction indicated by the arrow, and as the shaft rotates, the lever 26 will be caused to move to the left, thus shifting the belt 10 from engagement with pulley 9 onto the loose pulley 7 and the belt 11 from the loose pulley 8 into engagement with the pulley 9, whereupon the direction of rotation of the shaft 6 is reversed and the shaft caused to turn in the direction indicated by the arrow on the belt 11. This alternate rotation of the drive shaft in relatively opposite directions is, of course, transmitted through the train of gears to the clothes re ceiving drum 3 which is thereby caused to rotate alternately first in one direction and then the other, as is usual in machines of this type. It will be understood, that, as is usual in reversing mechanism of this type, the movement of the shifting mechanism is such, that the belt 11 does not entirel leave the pulley 8 in shifting to pulley 9, at remains partially in engagement with pulley 8, so as to cause the rotation of the cam 30 to be continued in order to shift the belts 10 and 11 back.

This operation continues until the bar 23 is moved rearwardly, whereupon the shaft 19' will, by its crank arm engagement with the bar, be turned or rocked in a rearward direction for causin the cam head to dis engage from the shi ing lever 26, and thereafter ass between the lugs 21 and center the be is shifting mechanism with the belt 10 running idle on the pulley 7 and the belt 11, running idle on the pulley 8 and, therefore, with the shifting mechanism in neutral position and standing at rest, as will be understood and as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. When the shaft 19 is rocked for causing the centering cam to seat between the lugs 21 as just ex lained, the slot 20' will move clear of the ro ler 21' allowing the shifting lever 26 to continue its movement under action of the loose pulley 8, as will be understood. Now

when the bar 23 is moved forward for again starting the machine, the cam head 20 will swing forwardly fromthe position shown in Figs. 5 and 6, thereby causing the forward edge of the cam head to bear, under the action of gravity on the overbalanced cam head, the arm 22 and the link 23, on the roller 21. This roller 21 will ride along the straight edge of the cam head until it finds, and passes into, the slot thereby making the connection for efiecting operation of the belt shifter mechanism, and this connection is maintained by the action of 20 gravity on the parts, as hereinbefore referred to.

In accordance with the present invention, there is journaled in suitable hearings on the tub, a, rotary feed screw 34 having fixed 25 upon one end thereof, a ratchet wheel 35 disposed for engagement by a spring pressed pawl 36, Figs. 1 and 2, mounted on the gear 14 and positioned to cooperate with the ratchet 35 for turning the screw shaft 34 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2, while the drum 3 is turning in one direction, it being understood that during the alternate reverse rotation of the drum, the pawl will ride idly over the ratchet 35. Hence the 35 feed screw is turned in one direction only,

irrespective of the alternate reverse rotation of the drum. The feed screw and the controlling mechanism, as hereinafter described bein thus connected with the laundrying mechanism, is driven in accordance with the laundrying mechanism.

Sustained for movement on a guide 37 fixed adjacent the screw 34 is a block 38 provided with a forwardly projecting arm 39 and having a pair of coiiperating clamping jaws 40 formed to embrace the screw 34 and having upon their inner faces, threads 41 adapted for coiiperative engagement with the screw thread, these jaws which are movable relatively for releasing the screw 34,

adapting the block for movement to a determined position on said screw, being pressed to engaging position by means of a spring 42. The block 38 is provided with a pointer 43, and the guide 37 with a scale 44, graduated as shown, in five minute periods rom zero to sixty, it being understood, of course, that this feature may be varied to suit the machine and the conditions under which it operates.

Suitably sustained at the forward end of the screw shaft 34 is a pivoted latch 45 hav ing a tail-piece 46 disposed within the path of the arm 39, this latch which is pressed to normal latching position by means of spring 47, being constructed and arranged for engagement with a tooth or keeper 48 on a pivoted lever 49 operatively engaged with the bar 23 in some suitable manner, such as by projecting the lever through an opening 50 in said bar. A spring 51 terminally engagcd with the lever and bracket 18, exerts its tension to throw the lever 49 rearwardly when released by the latch 45, such movement of the lever serving to move bar 23 rearwardly and throw the cam 20 into engagement with the lugs 21 in the manner heretofore explained. It is apparent that as the screw 34 revolves, the block 38 will be fed forwardly until arm 39 strikes the tail-piece 46 and throws the latch 45 out of engagement with the keeper 48 to release the lever 49 which will, when released, be thrown rearwardly automatically under the action of spring 51, carrying with it the bar 23 and causln an operatlon of the rock-shaft 19 for moving the cam 20 into engagement with the lugs 21 and stopping the washing mechanism. It will be understood, of course, that when the bar 23 is moved forward in the operation of starting the machine, the lever 49 will at the same time be set and enga ed by the latch 45.

ivoted at 52 in a suitable bearing on the washing machine frame is a lever 53 having an angularly disposed forward portion which terminates at a point adjacent the forward end of the screw 34, and is provided with a terminal cam portion 54 disposed within the path of movement of a lug 39 on the block 38, the rear end of this lever being pivotally engaged by a slot and pin connection wit the upper end of a verticall movable bar 55, slidably sustained in suita le guides 56 and carrying at its lower end, a rack 57 in mesh with a pinion 58, fixed on the stem 59 of a valve 60 constructed and arranged to close a discharge pipe 61 provided at the bottom of the tub 1. The valvewhich closes against a suitable valve seat provided in the discharge pipe, has its stem 59 threaded through a bearing 62 in the end wall of the pipe 61. The arrangement is such that as the block 38 nears the completion of its movement under the action of the screw 34, the lug 39, in riding over the cam head 54, rocks the lever 53 on its pivot in a direction to swing its rear end upwardl and lift the bar 55 against the action of t e screw 34, the lug 39, in riding the bar and with one of the bearin s 56. As the bar moves upwardly, the rec 57 acts upon the pinion 58 to rotate the valve stem 59'which, because of its screw threaded engagement with the bearing 62 will, when thus rotated, move outwardly and lift the valve 60 away from its seat, thus opening the discharge pipe to discharge the water from the tub,1. It will be noted in this connection that the lug 39' acts upon the lever 53 just prior to actuating the latch 45, so that the drain pipe will be opened and the water discharged from the tub prior to stopping the drum 3 and, therefore, while the wash water is still in a state of agitation. This is essential because the dirt and other impurities will thus he more effectually carried off with the water, and will be prevented from resettling in the clothes. The trains of mechanism are so constructed and relatively proportioned that the drain will be opened for such interval prior to the shifting of the belts, that the tub will. be substantiall y drained before the drum comes to rest. It is to be noted that owing to the block 38 being detachably en aged with the screw 34, as by means of tie jaws 40, said block can, prior to starting the machine, be moved to any desired point on the screw, thus to set the mechanism for operation for a predetermined length of time. determined by the poition of the pointer 4-3 with respect to the scale 44.

Provided on the block 38 is a dial casing 64 provided with an opening 65 and contain ing a rotary dial (36 hearing suitable graduations from one to twelve, there being fixed on said dial, a toothed ratchet 67 and a hand Wheel 68, which latter is disposed at the front of the casing 64. Pivoted on the frame work of the machine is a pawl 69 adapted to swing forwardly and downwardly against the action of the spring 70, this ratchet arm having its free end dis posed within the path of movement of the dial with the block and being formed for cooperative engagement with the ratchet 67. As the block 38 is advanced by the screw 34, and the dial reaches the pawl 69, the spring 70 will yield, allowing the dial to move past the ratchet arm to a position in advance thereof. Now after the tub has been drained and when a second washing operation is to begin, it becomes necessary to move the block 38 backward on the screw for setting the mechanism for the predetermined perlod of operation. As the block 38 is moved to such position, the pawl 69, through engagement with the ratchet 67, will advance the dial 66 one ste bringing the next number into register wit the open ing 65. Provision is thus made for showing at a glance, the number of times that the washing machine has been operated. This is advantageous for the following reason: A lot of material, in case of ordinary clothes, passes through from nine to twelve changes of water or other laund'rying fluids. Now the indicator will designate to the operator at a glance, just how many operations have been, and are still to be, performed on a given lot of material, and as the operation of the indicator is automatic each time the tub is drained, no errors can possibly arise.

It will be noted that the stopping mechanism operates automatically after a )IG- determined laundrying operation, to s ift the automatic reversing mechanism to neutral position, and when the machine is again started, this reversing mechanism is shifted from neutral to operative position. The machine is, therefore, stopped and started by the shifting of the belts which, because slippage of the belts is possible, permits the machine to be stopped and started without shock and jar. It will also be noted that the drain is opened before the automatic reversing mechanism is shifted to stop the machine. The mechanisms are So constructed and timed that the tub will be substanti-all drained before the drum comes to rest. In t is way, deposit of the scum and dirt in the washing water on the clothes is obviated. It will also be noted that the indicater is set upon setting of the timing mechanism, and before the machine is again started. This will serve to indicate the next laundrying operation, at the time when this laundrying o )eration begins, but not before, as would be the case if the indicator were set when the machine is stopped.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the stated objects of the invention are attained, it being understood that in attaining these ends, various minor changes may be made in the details herein set forth, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

I. In a machine of the class described, laundrying mechanism, driving mechanism adapted to impart to said laundrying mechanism an alternating movement, and automatic mechanism connected with said driving mechanism and operating after a pre determined laundrying operation, adapted to automatically shift said driving mechanism to neutral position to definitely stop the operation of said laundrying mechanism.

2. In a machine of the class described, laundrying mechanism, driving mechanism including shifting mechanism adapted to impart to said laundry-mg mechanism an alternating movement, and controlling mechanism connected with said driving mechanism and operaJtin after a pa ade termined operation of said 'aundrying mechanism, adapted to automatically move said shifting mechanism to neutral position to definitely stop the operation of said laundryin mechanism.

3. 1%) a machine of the class describe-d, laundrying mechanism, driving mechanism including shifting mechanism adapted to impart to said leuudrying mechanism an alternating movement, and controlling mechanism driven in timed relation with and operable after a; predetennined operation of said laundryingmechanism adapted to automatically move said shifting mechanism to neutral position to definitely stop the operation of said laundrying mechanism.

ii:- In a machine of the class described, a laundry tub, laundrying mechanism cooperating therew'th, automatic means operable after a predetermined laundrying operation, adapted to drain said tub while said laundrying mechanism continues in operation, and automatic means for thereafter stopping said laundrying mechanism whereby said laundrying mechanism is stopped after the tub is drained.

5. In a machine of the class described, a laundrv tub having an outlet, anism therefor, laundrying mechanism c0- operating with said tub driving mechanism therefor, and means for controlling the operation of said valve mechanism and of said driving mechanism, adapted to open said outlet and thereafter stop the operation of said Iaundrying mechanism.

6. In a machine of the class described, a laundry tub having an outlet, laundrying mechanism cooperating with said tub, driving mechanism therefor, and automatic means connected with said driving mechanism and controlling said outlet for opening said outlet and for thereafter rendering said driving mechanism inoperative to operate said laundrying mechanism.

7 In a machine of the class described, a laundry tub having an outlet, laundrying mechanism cooperating with said tub, driving mechanism adapted to imp-art to said laundrying mechanism an alternating movement, and automatic means connected with said driving mechanism and controlling said outlet for opening said outlet and for thereafter operating on said driving mech anism to stop the operation of said laundrying mechanism after said tub is drained.

8. In a machine of the class described, a laundry tub having an outlet, valve mechanism therefor, laundrying mechanism cooperating with said tub, driving mechanism therefor, and automatic means connected with said driving mechanlsm and driven in accordance with and operable after a pre- Oopiee of thin patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the valve mechdetermined operation of said laundrying mechanism, for controlling the operation of said valve mechanism, adapted to automaticallv open said outlet and stop the operation of said laundrying mechanism.

9. In a machine of the class described, a laundry tub having an outlet, valve mechanism therefor, laundrying mechanism cooperating with said tub, shiftable driving mechanism adapted to impart to said l-aundrying mechanism an alternating movement, and means connected with said driving mechanism and controlling said outlet and operated after a predetermined laundrying operation, adapted to open said outlet and shift said mechanism to neutral position to stop the operation of said laundrying mechanism.

10. In a machine of the laundry tub, draining means therefor, laundrying mechanism cooperating with said tub, driving mechanism therefor, and means operable after a predetermined laundrying operation, adapted to drain said tub and thereafter stop the operation of said laundrying mechanism.

11. In a machine of the class described, a laundry tub, draining means therefor, laundrying mechanism cooperating with said tub, driving mechanism therefor, and con trolling mechanism interconnected with said draining mechanism and said driving mechanism, operable after a predetermined laundrying operation, adapted to drain said tub and thereafter stop the operation of said laundnying mechanism.

12. In a machine of the class described, laundrying mechanism, controlling mechanism therefor, means adapted to designate the number of laundrying operations performed on a given lot of material, means for setting said controlling mechanism, and means operated upon setting of said controlling mechanism adapted to set said designating means.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature this 22nd day of September, 1916.

THEODORE BIRKENMAIER.

class described, a

commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0." 

